RORC Griffin Report: 2024 Nastro Rosa Il Veloce

The 2024 Nastro Rosa Il Veloce, which kicked off on Sunday, November 3, has wrapped up its 1500NM race around Italy.

Racing double-handed in Figaro 3s, three teams representing the Royal Ocean Racing Club, competed alongside seven international crews on the challenging course from Venice to Genoa. The awards ceremony, held at the prestigious Galata Maritime Museum in Genoa, celebrated the Nastro Rosa Il Veloce podium:

Winner: Team DEAS - Francesco Farci & Pietro Mureddu 

Second: RORC 1 - Ivar Elstrodt & Jelle Lourens

Third: Waving Meadows - Silvia Sambo & Manuel Polo

(Team DEAS received €20,000 and RORC 1 received €10,000)

RORC 2 (Ben Ibbotson & Flavia Onore)

RORC 2 (Ben Ibbotson & Flavia Onore) finished in a strong position, just over three hours behind the winners, while RORC 3 (Joseph Kurta & Erik Holmbom) provided engaging social media updates, capturing their race experiences.

Elstrodt & Lourens chased leaders Team DEAS, briefly taking the lead with 150NM left before DEAS reclaimed it, winning by a narrow 40 minutes and 30 seconds after nearly ten days of intense racing. Reflecting on their journey, Elstrodt & Lourens noted:

“This is the longest race we’ve done double-handed and our first in a Figaro 3. We gave it 100%, but the Italian winners were really fast, well done to them. Managing sleep was critical—it’s key to staying mentally alert, which we’ll focus on improving. We’re incredibly grateful to the RORC and the Griffin Project for this opportunity. We’re looking forward to representing the RORC again, possibly in next year’s Il Veloce or the 2025 Tour Voile.”

2025 Griffin Offshore Pathway

The RORC’s 2025 Griffin Offshore Pathway will offer expanded opportunities for young sailors to develop their offshore racing skills. The program will include three fully crewed squads competing in the RORC Season’s Points Championship, various JOG races, and select international events like the Nastro Rosa Series in Italy and the Tour Voile in France, part of the Figaro 3 circuit.

To participate as a sailor or support the Griffin Project, contact Griffin Chair, Jim Driver, at griffin@rorc.org